To Our Management Clients
Insulation update – not long now.
With under one year to go, landlords are again being reminded that they must insulate the ceiling and underfloor of their rental properties to the required standard by July 2019, if it is reasonably practicable to install.
If they don’t, this is an unlawful act and they could be liable for exemplary damages of up to $4,000 for each non-compliant rental home – and these are often awarded to the tenant.
Insulation can be installed in most homes in a day by a professional insulation installer, but waiting times for assessment and scheduling the work can vary depending on where you are in the country, and other people trying to get their insulation installed as well.
With the deadline in July 2019, professional insulation installers may book out quickly.
Property managers also need to be aware that if the rental homes they’re managing aren’t up to scratch, it’s the property manager who could face the penalty where it’s their name on the lease as landlord.
We recommend all property managers and landlords check their insulation statements are complete and accurate, and urge owners to insulate properly and safely.
The Tenancy Services Compliance and Investigation Team are already focussed on identifying tenancy agreements signed since July 2016 which don’t include insulation statements. Landlords must take reasonable steps to obtain information about the insulation in their rental properties and must provide a complete and accurate insulation statement. Failure to include an insulation statement is an unlawful act.
The team is also building capacity to ensure that after 1 July 2019, they can investigate rental properties which don’t comply with the legal requirements for insulation and this will be a priority.
Tauranga Rentals have had all of their managed properties audited by a professional installation company and reports have been sent to all owners.
If your Property doesn’t meet the Insulation Standards by the 1st of July 2019 Tauranga Rentals Ltd will not be able to Manage your Investment.
Warm and Healthy Homes
We are currently getting quotes for Heat Pumps on our Properties that don’t have fixed heating. At present the Law states we must provide some sort of heating which can be just a plug in heater, but this Government is legislating that we must provide a fixed heating source and have not yet told us what that must be so we are trying to be prepared.
If you would like to use our expertise in setting your Rents please contact Dan on
dan@taurangarentals.co.nz or phone 07 571 1025